Two Million Italians Rally Nationwide in Gaza Solidarity Protests/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ More than 2 million Italians joined nationwide protests and a general strike Friday in solidarity with Gaza, halting transport, schools, and key services. The action followed Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, sparking strong demonstrations across Europe. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the strike as disruptive and politically motivated.
Italy Gaza Protest: Quick Looks
- Over 2 million people rallied across 100+ cities.
- Strike led by Italy’s largest union, CGIL.
- Rome saw 300,000 marchers; Milan 100,000.
- 60% participation nationwide disrupted transport and schools.
- Protests followed Israeli forces intercepting Global Sumud Flotilla.
- Meloni condemned the strike, calling it politically motivated.
- Soccer protesters in Florence demanded Italy cancel match with Israel.
- Scuffles reported in Milan, Turin, Bologna, Naples, but mostly peaceful.
- Italy faces rising pressure to shift stance on Israel-Gaza conflict.
Two Million Italians Rally in Gaza Solidarity Protests
Deep Look
ROME (AP)— Italy saw one of its largest protest movements in recent memory Friday as more than 2 million people joined a nationwide strike and rallies to support Gaza, bringing transport, schools, and services to a standstill.
The strike was organized by CGIL, Italy’s largest union, in response to the Global Sumud Flotilla incident earlier this week, when Israeli naval forces intercepted a humanitarian convoy attempting to break the blockade on Gaza.
A Day of Disruption
According to CGIL, turnout was enormous, with 300,000 people marching in Rome and hundreds of thousands more in Milan, Turin, Bologna, Naples, and Florence. The union estimated that about 60% of Italy’s workforce participated, halting public transportation, closing schools, and slowing operations in critical sectors.
In Milan, about 100,000 people rallied, with minor clashes erupting when protesters blocked a highway and threw bottles at police, who responded with smoke bombs. Scuffles also broke out in Turin, Bologna, and Naples, but most demonstrations remained peaceful.
Protests Extend to Sports
In Florence, demonstrators gathered outside the Italian national soccer team’s training center, demanding the country cancel its Oct. 14 World Cup qualifier against Israel scheduled in Udine. Protesters waved banners declaring, “Let’s stop Zionism with the resistance.”
While Italy’s players were not at the training ground, tensions are mounting as UEFA considers suspending Israel from international competitions over the ongoing war in Gaza.
Political Backlash from Meloni
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni sharply criticized the strike, accusing unions of exploiting the conflict for political purposes and warning of damage to Italian citizens.
“I still believe that all this brings no benefit to the Palestinian people,” Meloni told reporters Thursday. “On the other hand, I understand it will cause a lot of problems for the Italian people. Revolutions and long weekends don’t go well together.”
Her government, a firm supporter of Israel, now faces mounting domestic pressure as humanitarian groups and political rivals call for Italy to play a more active role in addressing the crisis in Gaza.
Growing European Momentum
The protests in Italy were among the largest global demonstrations since the flotilla’s interception. Across Europe, rallies have surged in cities including Paris, London, and Berlin.
But Italy’s unprecedented strike action sets it apart, highlighting the scale of public anger and solidarity with Gaza amid the escalating humanitarian crisis.
Looking Ahead
While largely symbolic, the strike underscored how foreign conflicts can reverberate deeply within European politics. For Italy, where solidarity movements have a long tradition, the Gaza crisis has not only mobilized millions but also tested the Meloni government’s foreign policy stance.
Whether Italy shifts its approach to the Israel-Gaza conflict remains uncertain, but the scale of Friday’s demonstrations makes one thing clear: public pressure is intensifying.
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